Machine for peeling peaches and other fruit.



s. J. DUNKLEY. MACHINE FOR FEELING PEACHES AND OTHER FRUIT.

APPLICATION FILED ov.29,1904.

% Patented July 21, 1914.

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S. J. DUNKLEY. MACHINE FOR PEELING PEACHES AND OTHER FRUIT.

- APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29, 1904. 1 1 O4, 1 '7 5 Patented July 21, 1914.

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E e we A x N 1. e w k S. J. DUNKLEY. MACHINE FOR FEELING PEACHES AND OTHER FRUIT.

Patented July V21, 1914,

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APPLICATION FILED NOV.29, 1904.

S. J. DUNKLEY. MACHINE FOB FEELING PEACHES AND OTHER FRUIT.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 29, 1904.

Patented July 21, 1914 UNITED STATES PATENT orrron.

SAMUEL J. DUNKLEY,

F KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR, IBY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO DUNKLEY COMPANY, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 21,1914.

Application filed November 29, 1904. Serial No. 234,715.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. DUNKLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing in Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines for Peeling Peaches and other Fruit, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for peeling peaches, or other fruit or vegetables.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine or apparatus of a simple, eflicient and durable construction, by means of which peaches, or other fruit or vegetables, may be automatically peeled very rapidly and cheaply, and without injury to or mutilation of the fruit or the like, and by which also the skin or peel may be removed without waste of the pulp.

My invention consists in the means I employ to practically accomplish this object or result that is to say it consists, in combination with a peel or skin softening, disintegrating or shriveling means or device, preferably consisting of a tank or chamber containing a heated fluid, and a heater for the same, a conveyer for automatically conveying the peaches through the skin softening, disintegrating or shriveling device and subjecting the peaches to its action for uniform and measured time, a chute or device for delivering .the peaches in single file line to a brushing and washing mechanism, and a peach brushing and washing mechanism, preferably comprising a group of three long perforated pipes for spraying water upon the moving line of peaches, and subjecting them to a water brushing action, an endless belt brush arranged between the two lowermost perforated pipes and operating to brush the peaches as they are rotated and to convey them along, and a pair Ofoppositely rotating cylindrical brushes operating both torotate and brush the peaches, and having hollow perforated pipe cores for spraying the rotary brushes with water, and rotary cylindrical rubber sponge brushes, also having hollow perforated pipe cores for supplying the same with water; whereby the peaches may be very rapidly and cheaply and perfectly peeled, without waste or injury.

' My invention also consists in the novel construction of parts and devices and in the ]novel combination of parts and devices herein shown or described.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, Figures 1 and 1,

taken together, are a plan of a peach peeling machine embodying my invention; Figs. 2

and 2*, taken together, a side view; Fig. 3 is a detail section on line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a detail plan view showing one set of brushing and washing devices; Fig. 5 is a cross section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Fig.6 is a cross section on line 6-6 of Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a detail longitudinal section through the tank, the conveyer being omitted, on line 77 of Fig. 8; Fig. 8 is a cross section on line 8-.-8 of Fig. 2; Fig. 9 is a detail elevation of the chute or hopper shaking mechanism.

In the drawing A represents the frame B is a tank or chamber con- 0f the machine, taming a heated fluid b for softening, disintegrating, loosening or shriveling the skin ,of the peaches as they are conveyed through the tank. The fluid b in the tank or chamber B is preferably a liquid, and composed of water with an alkaline material in solution.

C is a heater for heating the skin softening, loosening or disintegrating medium I), the heater preferably consisting of steam pipes or coils in the tank, and connected with a steam supply pipe 0. The skin softening, loosening or disintegrating liquid is contained in a reservoir C having a heater C and is delivered to the tank B, as required, through a supply pipe C D is a conveyer for conveying the peaches into, through and out of the skin softening, loosening or disintegrating liquid 1) in the tank B. This conveyer or carrier D is, preferably, an endless. conveyer traveling on pulleys D D, one at each end of the tank B, and provided with transverse webspeaches in a single layer therein, and cause them to tion of the skin disintegrating medium 6.

' The tank B is provided with guides or tracks B B for guiding and supporting the endless flexible conveyer D. Theupper be uniformly subjected to the acguide B has a downward incline B at/the entrance end of the tank, and an upward incline B at the exit from the tank. E is an open screen, preferably of wire netting,

secured to the tank A just above the path 5 of the upper run of the endless peach eonveyer D, to hold the peaches in the open buckets or pockets of the conveyer and prevent the same from floating to the top of the 1skindsoftening, loosening or disintegrating 1 is a feed chute or hopper having partitions E into which the peaches are emptied in bulk, and by which they are fed or delivered to the endless conveyer D. As the endless conveyer D passes over or around the pulley or wheel D at the exit end of the tank, the peaches are automaticall delivered into the inclined and tapering c utes F, one for each lOHgltUdlIIEilPHI'tltIOH of the conveyer, and thus caused to feed or be delivered in single file between the water pipes and brushes of the washing and brushing mechanism by which the softened, loosened, disintegrated or shriveled skins of the oughly Washed and freed from all taint or trace of the skin disintegrating or loosening liquid. This washing or brushing mechanism comprises a group of, preferably, three water pipes Gr, having a series of perforations 9 arranged to strike the peaches as they are conveyed along between the pipes, and thus to impart to the peaches a rotary movement. The washin and brushing mechanism further, preferab y, comprises an endless belt brush H, travehng on pulleys H H between the two lowermost water pipes G G, and by which the peaches are conveyed along in single file and simultaneously brushed as they are rotated. This washin and brushing mechanism further, preferab? comprises a pair of oppositely rotating cylindrical brushes K K each having a hollow perforated water pipe K for flooding the brushes with water as they rotate. The bristles or brushing material k of the brushes K K, may be of any suitable material, but preferablyof vegetable fiber. The bristles or brushing material on the cylindrical brush K are, preferably spirally disposed, and the two brushes K K are rotated at different speeds to aid in turning or rotating the peaches as they are conveyed along between the brushes. For a portion of their length the rotary brushes K K are referably provided with soft rubber sponge rushing material 72 the back or'base web 70 of which is provided with perforations 70 to flood the rubber sponge material with water from the pipe K If desired, this rubber sponge brushing material k may be used for the entire length of the rotary brushes K K although I prefer to employ a bristle-like brushing material for a por- 65 tion of the length of these rotary brushes.

peaches are removed, and the peaches thormeant In practice for firm meated fruit or vegetables the use of fiber brushes for the entire length has been found highly satisfactory and is the most economical. The perforated water pipes G G G, preferably extend beyond the rotary brushes K K so that the water spray may entirely free the surface of the peaches and the like of skin or peel.

The required movements may be imparted to the several moving parts of my machine by any suitable means or mechanism. The endless eonveyer D is preferably driven continuously and at a slow speed, timed to subject the peaches to the action of the hot liquid 1) just for the time required to disintegrate and loosen the peel of the peach without softening or cooking the pulp'beneath the skin to an appreciable depth or extent, by means of a belt M and driving p/plley M on the driving shaft M and gears 3 M the gear M being on the shaft D of l the conveyer sprocket wheels.

,The peach feed chute or hopper E is given a horizontal shaking or vibratory movement from the shaft N through the crank N pitman N and lever N This shaking means is not needed for round fruit or vegetables. The several endless belt brushes H are driven continuously from the driving shaft B through the pulley R the pulleys G of the belt brushes at one end being onthe shaft R. I

Continuous rotary motion is communicated to the rotary brushes, K K from the driving shaft Rthrough a twisted beltR and pulley R on the shaft R having beveled gears R meshing with the bevel gears R on the hollow water pipe shafts K of the rotary brushes. Water under pressure is supplied to the hollow shafts of the several rotary brushes from the supply pipe T, having branches 2? leading to each of the rotary brushes and connected to its hollow. core or shaft by stuffing boxes t The water supp1y pipe T also has branches t leading to the perforated water pipes G.

The water peeling means here shown are available wherever the skin of the fruit or vegetable has been suitablv disintegrated or loosened. The articular alkaline treatment is highly effective butI am sure that this may beaccomplished otherwise and clearly when the skin of fruit or vegetable is disintegrated the spray means shown will do the work of peelin the same. I desire, there fore, to claim t e means to remove the disintegrated peel "no matter how the disintegration is accomplished. I desire to claim the means specifically as a peach peeling means,' and also generally, the apparatus having been designed especially for peaches and having been found applicable to other work without change.

My entire apparatus is especially designed from any particles means for the briefest possible period that mechanism at the exit end of the tank bination with will accomplish the desired result. I claim:

1. In a peach peeling machine, the combination with a tank or chamber for containing a fluid for softening and loosening the skins, of means which extend through the tank for subjecting the same to the action of said fluid for a uniform period of time, and a washing, spraying and brushifng or removing the softened and loosened skins, cooperating substantially as described.

2. In a peach peeling machine, the combination with a skin-softening and loosening device, of a Washing, spraying and brushing device, cooperating substantially as specified.

3. In a peach peeling machine, the combination with means for softening and loosening the skins, with means for washing,

spraying and brushing the peaches, and thus removing the skins, and means for automatically delivering the same from said skinsoftening and loosening means to said washing and brushing means, substantially as specified.

4. In a peach peeling machine, the commeans for softening and loosening the skins of same, with means for washing, spraying and brushing same and thus removing the skins, means for-' automatically delivering them from said -Sk1Ilsoftening and loosening means to said washmg and brushing means, and a hopper or chiitc for automatically delivering the peaches to said skin-softening and loosening means, substantially as specified.

5. In a peach peeling machine, the combination with a tank for containing a skinsoftening and loosening liquid, of a heater therefor, a conveyer passing through the tank for conveying the peaches into, through and out of said liquid, and a group of perforated water pipes for spraying the peaches with water as they pass lengthwise of and between said pipes, substantially as specified.

6. In a peach peeling machine, the combination with a tank for containing a skinsoftening and loosening liquid, of a heater therefor, a conveyer passing through the tank for conveying the peaches into, through and out of said liquid, a group of perforated waterpipes at the discharge end of,

tank for conveying the peaches into, through and out of said liquid, a group of perforated water pipes at the discharging end of said conveyer for spraying the fruit with water as it passes lengthwise of and between said pipes, and an endless conveyer brush arranged longitudinally of and between two of said pipes, substantially as specified.

8. In a peach peeling machine, the com bination with a tank for containing a skinsoftening and looseningliquid, of a heater therefor, a conveyer passing through the tank for conveying the peaches into, through and out of said liquid, a group of perforated water pipes at the discharging end of said conveyer for spraying the peaches with water as they pass lengthwise of and between said pipes, and an endless conveyer brush arranged longitudinally of and between two of said pipes, and rotary cylindrical brushes for brushing and turning the peaches as they pass between said water pipes, substantially as specified.

9. In a peach peeling machine, the combination with. a tank for containing a skinsoftening and loosening liquid, of a heater therefor, a conveyer passing through the tank for conveying the peaches into,

water pipes at the discharging end of said conveyer for spraying the peaches with water as they pass lengthwise of and between said pipes, and an endless conveyer brush arranged longitudinallyof and be tween two of said pipes, and rotary cylindrical brushes for brushing and turning the peaches as they pass between said water pipes, said rotary cylindrical brushes having hollow perforated water pipe cores, substantially as specified. 10. In a peach peeling, machine, the combination with a tank for containing a skin- .softening and loosening liquid, of a heater therefor, a conveyer passing through the tank for conveying the peaches into, through and out of said liquid, a group of perforated water pipes at the discharging end of said through and out ofsaid liquid, a group of perforated conveyer for spraying the peaches with water as they pass lengthwise of and between said pipes, and an endless conveyer brush arranged longitudinally of and between two of said pipes, and rotary cylindrical brushes for brushing and turning the peaches as they pass between said water pipes, the

brushing material of one of said cylindrical brushes being spirally disposed thereon to specified.

11. In a peach peeling machine, the combination with a tank for containing a skin- -softening and loosening liquid, of a heater aid in turning the peaches, substantially as conveyer for spraying the peaches with water as they pass lengthwise of and between said pipes, and an endless conveyer brush arranged longitudinally of and between two of said pipes, and rotary cylindrical brushes for brushing and turning the peaches as they pass between said water pipes with means for rotating said cylindrical brushes ifin opposite directions, substantially as speci- 12. In a peach peeling machine, the combination with a tank for containing a skinsoftening and loosening liquid, of a heater therefor, a conveyer passing through the tank for conveying the peaches into,thr0ugh and out of said liquid, a group of perforated water pipes at the discharging end of said conveyer for spraying the peaches with water as they pass lengthwise of and between said pipes, means for delivering the peaches from said tank in a row or single file to said pipes, and rotary cylindrical brushes for brushing and turning the peaches as they pass between said water pipes, and means for rotating said cylindrical brushes in opposite directions and at different speeds, substantially as specified.

13. In a peach peeling machine, the combination with a tank for containing a skinsoftening and loosening liquid, of a heater therefor, a conveyer passing through the tank for conveying the peaches into,through and out of said liquid, a group of perforated water pipes at the discharging end of said conveyer for spraying the peaches with water as they pass lengthwise of and between said pipes, and an endless conveyer brush arranged longitudinally of andbetween two of said pipes, rotary cylindrical brushes for brushing and turning the peaches as they pass between said water pipes, and means for rotating said cylindrical brushes in opposite directions and from each other, substantially as specified.

14. In a peach peeling machine, the combination with a tank for containing a skin softening and loosening liquid, of a heater therefor, a conveyer passing through the tank for conveying the peaches into, through and out of said liquid, a group of perforated water pipes at the discharging end of said conveyer for spraying the peaches with water as they pass lengthwise of and between said pipes, and a chute or hopper for automatically delivering the peaches to the tank conveyer, substantially as specified.

15. In a peach peeling machine, the combination with a tank for containing a skinsoftening and loosening liquid, of a heater therefor, a conveyer passing through the tank for conveying the peaches into,through and out of said liquid, a group of perforated water pipes at the discharging end of said conveyer for spraying the peaches with water as they pass lengthwise of and between said pipes, a'chute or hopper for automatically delivering the peaches to the tankconveyer, and a chute or device for automatically delivering the same from said tank-conveyer in a single file, line or row to and between said water pipes, substantially as specified.

16. In a peach peeling machine, the combination with a tank for containing a skinsoftening and loosening liquid, of a heater therefor, a conveyer passing through the tank for conveying the peaches into,throu'gh and out of said liquid, a group of perforated Water pipes at the discharging end of said conveyer for spraying the peaches with watervas they pass lengthwise of and between said pipes, and a screen under which the upper run of the conveyer passes for holding the peaches immersed in the liquid as they are carried through the same by the conveyer, substantially as specified. 17. Ina peach peeling machine, the combition with a tank for containing a skinsoftening and loosening liquid, of a heater therefor, a conveyer passing through the tank for conveying the peaches into, through and out of said liquid, a group of perforated water pipes at the discharging end of said conveyer for spraying the peaches with Water as they pass lengthwise of and between said pipes, an endless conveyer brush arranged longitudinally of and between said pipes, rotary cylindrical brushes for brushing and turning the peaches as they pass between said water pipes, said rotary cylindrical brushes having hollow perforated water pipe cores, said rotary cylindrical brushes having a fibrous brushing material for a portion of their length, and a rubber sponge brushing material for a portion of their length, substantially as specified.

lSLIn a peach peeling machine, the combination with a tank for containing a skinsoftening and loosening liquid, of a heater therefor, a conveyer passing through the tank for conveying the peaches into, through and out of said liquid, a group of perforated water pipes at the discharging end of said conveyer for spraying the peaches with water as they pass lengthwise of and between said pipes, rotary cylindrical brushes for brushing and turning the peaches as they pass between said water pipes, said rotary cylindrical brushes having hollow perforated water pipe cores, and said rotary cylindrical brushes having a fibrous brushing material, substantially as specified.

19. In an apparatus for treating fruit such as peaches, means for removing previously disintegrated skin from the fruit, including a support for the fruit, means for eifecting a change of position of the fruit on said support, and means for directing peeling water jets upon said fruit.

20. In an apparatus for removing the previously disintegrated skin from fruit,the combination With means for supporting and advancing the fruit, of means for directing a peeling Water jet upon said fruit as it advances.

21. In an apparatus for removing the previously disintegrated skin from fruit, the combination with means for supporting and advancing the fruit, of means for directing peeling jets of water at intervals upon said fruit as it advances.

22. In an apparatus for removing the previously disintegrated skin from fruit, the combination with means for supporting and advancing the fruit, of means for directing peeling jets of Water at intervals upon said fruit from above and below as it advances.

23. In a peeling machine for removing the previously disintegrated skin from fruit or vegetables, means for directing Water sprays against the separate specimens thereof, and means for turning the s'aidspecimens to present all parts thereof to the spray for the purpose specified.

24. In a peeling machine for removing the previously disintegrated skin from fruit or vegetables, means for directing the Water sprays against the separate specimens thereof, and a support with means for turning the said specimensto present all parts Ehereof to the spray for the purpose speci- 25. In a peach peeling machine for removing the previously disintegrated skin from fruit or vegetables, means for directing water sprays against the separate specimens thereof, and means for turning the said specimens to present all parts thereof to the spray for the purpose specified.

26. In a peach peeling machine for removing the previously disintegrated skin from fruit or vegetables, means for directing the water sprays against the separate specimens thereof, and a support With means for turning the said specimens to present all parts thereof to the spray for the purpose specified.

SAMUEL J. DUNKLEY. Witnesses M. 'MUNDAY, EDMUND AnoooK. 

